Last year, for the 30th Anniversary of the Pro-Am tournaments, exact reproductions of the prestigious one-and-only Lake Ontario Challenge Cup – symbolic for winning the lakewide tournament series of these very Pro-Ams – were handed out to every single previous winner of the Cup. The tradition will continue in 2015.
The Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament will be giving an encore performance in 2015 when the Niagara County event – based out of the ports of Wilson and Olcott – will hold its 31st Anniversary contest May 30-31, 2015. For three decades, this fishing competition has been pitting teams of anglers against one another in one of the biggest tests of skill on the Great Lakes. Scoring is based on 10 points per fish and a point per pound over two days of fishing, using special tournament minimum lengths and restrictions over two days of fishing.
Niagara tournament organizers are now announcing that they will continue with two tournaments in 2015 to include a second weekend June 6-7, also out of the ports of Wilson and Olcott. All the rules will be the same (as last year) in both tournaments; each will be treated as independent events. The West Challenge Cup will be based on point totals for both Niagara events combined. Last year, the total prizes paid out was over $105,000 plus $10,000 in merchandise prizes – with $45,000 paid out in Cup cash thanks to sponsor money for the event … over and above the entry fee money! What will it be this year? We already have the Seneca Niagara Casino and Resort on board as a sponsor!
With two Pro-Am tournaments on back to back weekends, the Pete DeAngelo and Don Johannes Memorial events on May 29 and June 5, and a Buffalo Sabres Alumni Charity Fishing Tournament in the wings during the week, the spring fishing extravaganza will offer anglers more opportunities for their angling dollars. Your chances for bringing home one of the many cash prizes increase considerably. However, like the state lottery – you have to be in it to win it!
In addition, the Recreational Open Division will also be an option for amateur anglers looking to compete for each day of the two tournaments as separate events, based on boat participation for cash and prizes. As always, all of these Niagara events will be 100 percent payback as far as the prize structure is concerned – and then some. No other tournament can compete. All of the sponsor money and merchandise goes for competing anglers, too.
Entry fee for the Classic Division will be $600 (plus admin fees) per event; the Trophy Division will only be $300 per event (plus admin fees). The Recreational Open is still $125 per day (plus $10 admin fee).We emphasize that this is a 100 percent-plus cash payback! Mark your calendars and make plans for the biggest tournament events of 2015! More to come …
To find out more information about these landmark Niagara County Lake Ontario Pro-Am Tournaments, check out the official website at www.lakeontarioproam.net. See you there!
